Expedition cruises

In partnership with Le Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac and with featured guest Emmanuel Kasarhérou, Chairman of the Établissement Public du Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac from the 16 to the 22nd of march .

Embark with PONANT on a 16-day expedition cruise to the heart of remote islands in the Pacific. Aboard Le Soléal, you will embark upon a route taking you from Fiji to Guam, discovering the very rich local cultures and exceptional underwater life. 

From Lautoka, Le Soléal will first take you to Vanuatu, considered by some as the “happiest country in the world”. Espiritu Santo, the archipelago’s main island, promises you an unforgettable aquatic experience in an idyllic setting.

You will then set sail for the Solomon Islands where you will have the opportunity to witness traditional culture as well as enjoy stunning white-sand beaches with swimming and snorkelling.

After a port of call in Papua New Guinea, the mysteries of Micronesia will reveal themselves to you. A scattering of islands and atolls, lost in the heart of the northern Pacific, this area is rich in Second World War history. The shores of Chuuk Lagoon and Pulap Island still retain traces of a tragic past and a declared Underwater Military Museum is the resting place of wrecks from Japan’s military air and sea fleets.

Micronesia consists of a sprinkling of islands and atolls that benefit from an exceptional environment. On land, Lamotrek Island has white sandy beaches and coconut trees, and villages that exude deep-rooted traditions.

Your cruise will end in Guam, the biggest volcanic island of the Mariana Islands.

Please note: this PONANT’s Loyalty Cruise is aimed at French-speaking guests. Lectures, shore excursions, pre and post programmes and public announcements will be in French only.

With the exceptional presence of a member of the general management of PONANT and with featured guest Hubert Védrine, senior French civil servant and politician and Manuel Carcassonne, Managing Director of Éditions Stock.

PONANT invites you to discover exceptional sites during this brand-new cruise between Spain and Portugal, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy this unforgettable 9-day journey aboard Le Dumont d’Urville, combining stunning island landscapes and cities brimming with history.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, admire the volcanic and verdant landscapes of Santa Cruz de La Palma, explore the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from La Gomera, or walk along the levadas, the irrigation channels that were dug out of the mountain by hand in the 19th century, from Funchal. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

Your cruise will begin on the island of Gran Canaria, in Las Palmas. Then you will sail to Lanzarote, where you will admire the volcanic landscapes that are typical of the area. Your ship will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve.

After calling at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, from which you will be able to discover the wonderful volcanic landscapes of Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will leave Spain for Portugal and Madeira, the ‘island of eternal spring’. Discovering the levadas, a clever irrigation system widely used on this mountainous island for transporting water, will also provide an opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery.

Le Dumont d’Urville will sail towards Morocco and you will enter “the white city” of Casablanca, which combines tradition and modernity. Here you will discover the impressive Hassan II Mosque, considered to be one of the largest religious buildings in the world.

You will also call in Cadiz, one of the country’s oldest cities, built on a rock and surrounded by the sea.

Then you will head to Malaga, end of your cruise.

Join us on a far-flung adventure through some of the most dramatic fjords, mountains and glaciers on the planet. Depart from remote Ushuaia deep into southern Chile's intricate, fractured landscape. Sail beside vertical slopes, along tranquil bodies of water carved by intimidating icy ramparts. Chile’s colour, character and charm also shine through - whether it’s world heritage site churches, or picturesque Tortel’s wonderful wooden walkways.